Madikeri, Feb. 2: Only when culture and tradition are combined can any community see intellectual progress. Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy President Ajnikanda C. Mahesh Nachaiah expressed his belief that Kodava culture is not just a ritual but a way of life.
Presiding over the Kudava Cultural Namme-2026 organized at Yavakapady Community Bhavan in collaboration with Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy and Nalnad Poomale Kudava Cultural Committee, he said that the reason why Kodava culture is special and different in India is that it has progressed in all fields. The main reason why all the 23 communities that follow Kodava language, literature and culture are currently progressing is that Kodava culture is seen as the light of life, and the source is that everyone has good tradition.
He urged the communities that follow Kodava culture to not forget their culture, literature and language, wherever they are.
The Kudiya community, identified as ‘Maale Kudiya or Poomale Kudiya’ in Kodagu, has contributed to the Kodava culture, language and folklore since time immemorial. He said that although the Mala Kudiyas are less in population, they have adopted Kodava customs, traditions and practices in their culture and are living in unity.
The program was inaugurated by Kuinalamale Seethamma Karumbayya, who is in his nineties, by lighting the lamp.
Addressing the program, the President of the Kodava Takk Raasthakarad Union, Padinhaaranda G. Ayyappa, who arrived as a guest, said that the survival and extinction of any community depends on loving their language and culture. The government has given a lot of responsibility to the current Academy President to ensure that the Kodava language is given a suitable status in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. All communities should cooperate in this. If the Kodava language gets recognition from the government, it will get recognition for everyone, he said.
Speaking, Kudiyara Muthappa said that if any language, culture and tradition is to take root in the heart of a person, the home should be the first school. Every mother at home should teach her children the Kodava language and culture from the time they are little. Everyone should work hard in their childhood. If they learn the basics, the entire culture will shine. This will allow Kodava to shine, he said.
Only if there is culture at home, culture can grow for the next generation. There are three types of Kudiyas: Adikelmale Kudiya, Temale Kudiya and Poomale Kudiya, and Poomale Kudiya is a community that follows the Kodava customs and culture.
On the stage, those who are cultivating the Kudi culture by learning and teaching Kodava customs and folklore in the Kudi community: Balopat artist Nerathokada Ramesh of Galibeed, folk artist Padiyamale Ganesh Bidappa of Yavakapady, senior folk artist Kuinalamale Poonachha of Yavakapady, senior folk artist Kolindamale M. Raja, young folk artist Kipparemale Pushpa Machayya of Tora village and young folk artist Nerathokada Radhika of Galibeed were felicitated.
Former member of Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy Kolindamale K. Bopaiah, who presented a paper related to the topic “Kodagra Devanelel Kudi Raasmot”, said that currently there are 35 families among the Kudi families of Kodaga. The population is estimated to be around two thousand. He informed that the Kudiyars have been working at various devanelas since the Pannangalathamma settlement and requested the Kodava Sahitya Academy President to organize a Kudiyar cultural festival at the district level.
Vandana Chinnappa from Kaddaniyanda, Ranjan Muthappa from Anjaparavada, and Rekha Prakash from Movera recited poetry at the poetry gathering. Kolat and Urtikott aat performances by the Galibeedu and Yavakapadi troupes were held.
Academy members Kaverappa from Kudiyar and Dinu Bojappa from Mollekuttada were present at the program, which was conducted under the chairmanship of Academy members Kambeya Dina Bojanna, Kondijammana M. Balakrishna, Ponnira U. Gagan, Cheppudira S. Uthappa, Chotteyanda Sanju Kaverappa, and Napanda C. Ganesh.
Former Kakkabe Gram Panchayat President Kalianda Sampan Ayyappa, Marandoda Panchayat Member Choyamadanda Harish, elders Bachamanda Raja Poovanna Kunjila-Kakkabe Gram Panchayat President Shilpa, senior folk artist Kolindamale A. Chinnappa, Kodimanianda Bopaiah, Aarthokkad Mahesh, Mithun Ranjith, Kopattimale Mahesh, Airira Raina Kariappa, Kaniyara Nanaiah, Kabbemale Lolavathi and others were present on the stage. First, Girija and the team prayed. Kudiyara Bharat Devaiah compered the program and proposed vote of thanks.
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